y
Noel, who intended to have his turn before the end of the ride. He had
driven twice before under his brother-in-law's supervision, and he
considered himself an expert.

As soon as they were through the lodge-gates, therefore, he began to
clamour to change places with Chris. The worried Holmes protested in
vain. Chris, though firmly refusing to sit behind, was quite willing to
give her place at the wheel to her brother; and the change was speedily
effected, remonstrance notwithstanding.

"We can't come to any harm on our own drive," was the careless
consolation she threw to the perturbed man behind her, who then and there
solemnly swore to his inner soul that whatever the outcome of the venture
he would never again trust himself or the car to the tender mercies of
the Wyndham family.

Finding himself thus ignored, he stood up and leaned over the boy's
shoulder to give directions in the face of any sudden emergency that
might arise, though Noel was obviously in no mood to pay any attention to
them. As he remarked later, when recounting the adventure, he knew in his
bones that there was going to be an accident; but the nature of it he
could hardly be expected to foresee.

In fact, for a brief space all went well. The motor buzzed merrily along
the drive, and it almost seemed as if the escapade would end without
mishap, when, as they rounded the bend that led to the house, Noel
unexpectedly put on speed. They shot forward at a great pace under the
arching trees, and forthwith suddenly came disaster. Swift as a lightning
flash it came--too swift for realization, almost too swift for sight. It
was only a tiny, racing figure that darted for the fraction of a second
in front of the car, and then--with a squeal half-choked--was lost in the
rush of the wheels. It was only Cinders chasing a rabbit which he was
destined never to catch.

Chris's shriek of agony rang as far as the house. In another moment she
would have thrown herself headlong from the car, but Holmes was too quick
for her. Not in vain had Holmes been through a three-years' war; not in
vain did he hold himself responsible for the young wife of the master
whom that war had taught him to love. Almost before she had sprung from
her seat he had caught her, forcing her down again, holding her by grim
strength from her mad purpose. She struggled with him fiercely,
hysterically; but Holmes's grip never relaxed. She bore the marks of it
upon her arms for weeks after.